At Villa Maria Lodge, the fourth week of the season showcased the extremes of Patagonian weather. The initial half of the week greeted anglers with a wild dance of a 90km/h gusty wind, accompanied by relentless sunshine. Despite the challenging conditions, some fish were landed, yet it was evident that the river held the promise of much more.
The latter part of the week witnessed a favorable turn as the weather settled, bringing a welcome relief from the furious winds. The clouds painted the sky, and with this change, the river came alive. Catches became more consistent throughout the day, and the elusive big fish began to make their appearances.
Despite a forecast that hinted at rain, the drops never materialized, leaving everything surprisingly dry. The river – steadily receding each day – maintained crystal-clear visibility. These conditions called for finesse with lighter setups, longer leaders, and diminutive flies proving most effective.
Switch rods and light double handers proved to be invaluable tools, especially on calmer, less windy days. Short and light sink tips paired with small flies reigned supreme for most of the week. However, when the wind howled or the sun dipped below the horizon, anglers found
success with leech or intruder patterns—enticing the Sea Trout with a larger silhouette.
Looking ahead to the next week, a semblance of the same conditions is expected, though a potential twist looms as heavy rain might make an appearance towards the week’s end. Until then, the strategy remains clear—go thinner, go lighter, and stay poised for that thrilling connection with a trophy Rio Grande Sea Trout.
Tight lines!
CONTACT US
Our fly fishing specialist Peter Collingsworth has been over to Villa Maria Lodge, fishing the banks of the famous Rio Grande many times, so if there’s anything you would like to know about the fishing or if you have any questions you’d like to ask him, you can contact him on 01603 407596 or email at peter@sportquestholidays.com.
